Sir, I have serious concerns about the proposed development of 1,000 houses on an enormous swathe of Green Belt land in the north of Abingdon.

I have lived in North Abingdon since 1985 and attended the public meeting on November 3 concerning the Vale Local Plan. Following that meeting, a group of residents from North Abingdon formed a campaign group to alert residents to the irreversible implications of these proposals.

We are concerned that the full extent of this proposal is not known, since the site for 390 houses between the Oxford Road and Peachcroft Farm was only added in October.

The council is proposing housing for an enormous expanse of Green Belt land which they have vigorously protected in the past. I know since I was a planner and worked for the Vale. Government advice is that Green Belt land should only be released in “exceptional circumstances”.

Some residents consider it is a done deal. It is not. We have studied many documents published on the Vale’s website and produced papers on key areas: l Irreversible loss of Green Belt, countryside and wildlife l Overstated and misplaced housing figures l Increased traffic congestion l Air pollution in Abingdon due to increased traffic.

l What would be needed for the local community if the housing was allowed.

These papers are available on http://longfurlongcommunity.co.uk/vale-of-white-horse-local-plan to help residents complete comment forms for VOWHDC by the deadline of December 19.

This is North Abingdon residents’ chance to have a voice. It is not a done deal yet.

Ticia Lever Alexander Close Abingdon